Call to worship draws thousands in Jerusalem

Some 5,000 Israelis and visiting Christians attended "The Call" worship conference in Jerusalem on Sunday, with many describing the event as an earthshaking experience.

A solemn assembly based on Joel 2, The Call was started in the United States in 2000. Since then several conferences have taken place across the US and the world.

But this was the first time the event was held in Israel, and it came at a significant time in the country’s history, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the modern Jewish state.

Lou Engle, who is the visionary and co-founder of The Call, said he once had a casual attitude toward Jerusalem, but during his time here, his perspective shifted. “We’re not coming for a tour. We’re coming to the very throne,” said Engle.

Engle and his group couldn't have come at a better time. Just 48 hours later, in the very place where thousands of believers had just worshipped and God's Spirit to descend on Israel, the "kings of the world" assembled for Shimon Peres' "Presidents' Conference" to determine Israel's place in the new world order they envision.

The Call and the prominent participation of Israeli Messianics in the event will be covered in greater detail in the June 2008 issue of Israel Today.